Licence guide · United Kingdom
How to fly drones for money in the UK.
In the UK you can do paid work in the Open category with a Flyer ID, an Operator ID and commercial insurance. Some jobs also need an A2 CofC, or a GVC and an Operational Authorisation. This guide explains each step in order.
Last checked September 2026. Rules change, so always check with the CAA before you fly.
Step by step
From drone owner to paid pilot.
New rules started on 1 January 2026. The Flyer ID and Operator ID now start at 100 g, and new drones carry UK class marks (UK0 to UK6).
- 1
Get your Flyer ID
Pass the free CAA online theory test. You need a Flyer ID to fly any drone of 100 g or more.
- Who:
- CAA
- Cost:
- Free
- Valid:
- 5 years
- The test is online
- It covers the basic rules and safety
- Retake it every 5 years
- 2
Register for an Operator ID
The Operator ID is for the person or company responsible for the drone. You need one for a drone of 250 g or more, or 100 g or more with a camera.
- Who:
- CAA
- Valid:
- 1 year
- You must be 18 or older
- There is a small yearly fee
- Put the Operator ID label on every drone
- To work under a business name, register the business as the operator
- 3
Get an A2 CofC, if the job needs it
The A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC) lets you fly closer to people in the A2 group. You get it from a CAA-recognised assessment entity (RAE).
- Who:
- A CAA-recognised school (RAE)
- Valid:
- 5 years
- A theory exam of at least 30 questions. You need 75% to pass
- Practical flying that you do yourself and declare
- Every Kiteshot job offer tells you if it needs an A2 CofC
- 4
Get a GVC and an Operational Authorisation, for Specific work
Some jobs are outside the Open category rules, for example flying closer to people with a larger drone. For these you need a General VLOS Certificate (GVC) and an Operational Authorisation from the CAA. Most people apply under PDRA01.
- Who:
- RAE (GVC) and CAA (authorisation)
- Valid:
- GVC 5 years, PDRA01 1 year
- The operator writes an operations manual
- PDRA01 covers drones from 250 g to 25 kg
- The GVC stops being issued after 31 December 2027. The Level 1 Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC-L1) is the other route
- 5
Get commercial insurance
Every paid flight needs third-party insurance that meets UK law. The insurance section below explains what to ask for.
- Who:
- A drone insurer
- It must cover commercial flights
- Keep the certificate with your documents
- 6
Join Kiteshot
Apply as a pilot. A person checks your documents within 5 working days. Then you fly a paid test job and start getting job offers.
- Time:
- Document check in 5 working days
- Apply with your Flyer ID and Operator ID. We check the rest with you
- Our editors do the editing, maps and reports for every job
- We remind you before your documents expire
Insurance
What insurance you need.
Insurance protects you and your customer if something goes wrong. In the UK it is a legal requirement for paid flights.
The law
Third-party insurance is required for every commercial flight, under Regulation (EC) 785/2004 as kept in UK law. The legal minimum for drones under 500 kg is 750,000 SDR per accident. Most policies start at £1 million.
Third-party liability
Pays for injury to people and damage to property caused by your flight. This is the most important cover.
Cover for paid work
Check that the policy covers commercial flights. Many hobby and home policies do not.
Cover for your drone
Pays for damage to your drone or its loss. It is not required by law, but a crash can be expensive.
Your customer's rules
Many customers and sites ask for more cover than the legal minimum. Check before you accept the job.
When you fly
The main rules for every flight.
These are the main limits for the Open category. An Operational Authorisation can allow more.
Height
No higher than 120 m (400 ft) above the ground.
Line of sight
Keep the drone where you can see it at all times.
A3: far from people
Stay 50 m from people and buildings, and 150 m from residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas.
A2: near people
With an A2 CofC and a UK2 drone, stay 30 m from people who are not involved, or 5 m in low-speed mode. Drones without a class mark: 50 m.
Airports
To fly in an airport's Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ), get permission from the airport first.
Night
Turn on a green flashing light when you fly at night.
Keep it valid
Renewals and records.
- Flyer ID: retake the online test every 5 years.
- Operator ID: renew every year.
- A2 CofC, GVC and RPC-L1: valid for 5 years.
- PDRA01 Operational Authorisation: renew every year, and keep a log of every flight.
- Remote ID: drones marked UK1, UK2, UK3, UK5 and UK6 need it now. Most other drones of 100 g or more with a camera need it from 1 January 2028.
Kiteshot tracks the expiry dates on your documents and reminds you before anything expires.
Common mistakes
Things new pilots often get wrong.
Thinking a drone under 250 g needs nothing
From 100 g you need a Flyer ID. With a camera you also need an Operator ID. Paid work always needs insurance.
Looking for a PfCO
The old Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO) no longer exists. You can do paid work in the Open category.
Thinking the A2 CofC allows 5 m everywhere
The 5 m distance only applies to a UK2 drone in low-speed mode.
Forgetting the Operator ID renewal
The Operator ID lasts one year. Renew it every year.
How Kiteshot helps
We help with the licence. Then we find you the work.
- Help choosing the right certificate for the jobs you want
- Partner training schools, being set up for the UK
- First job offers when your city opens
- Our editors do all the editing, maps and reports
- Reminders before your IDs and certificates expire
Official sources
- CAA: flying drones for work
- CAA: Flyer IDs and Operator IDs
- CAA: insurance requirements
- CAA: PDRA01 Operational Authorisation
This guide is general information, not legal advice. The CAA rules and your partner school have the final word.